Ocean Baroque (centre) stays on best under Conor Stone-Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Ocean Baroque provided Danny Murphy with the perfect start to his second stint at training in Ireland, as he claimed the most valuable prize on offer at Cork this afternoon, the Irish EBF Auction Series Nursery Handicap.
Previously trained by Kieran Cotter and successful at Navan in July, the Caravaggio gelding was last seen finishing sixth in the Goffs Sportsman's Challenge.
Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time today, the 9/2 chance tracked the leaders under Conor Stone-Walsh, travelling best and getting to the front a furlong and a half from home.
Soon ridden, he kept up the gallop in the closing stages and came home a length-and-a-quarter to the good.
There was a short head between Bid For Chester (9/2) and Tai Tam Bay (9/1) in second and third respectively, while Alpha Cephei (11/4f) could only manage a disappointing fifth.
"I have to thank Kieran Cotter and his family and they gave me a good run for it with Romford (finished fourth). I only got my licence last week and this was my first entry," Murphy revealed.
"It wasn't the plan (to leave Cotter's) but we are expanding and getting bigger. I put in a lot of money into Kieran's property, built 36 boxes which we had full but would have had to extend more.
"We were getting great support but I said I couldn't keep putting in more money into the property as I'm 61 and it wasn't my own place. Kieran understood that.
"Matilda Picotte was third in the (English) Guineas for us but her owners have stayed with Kieran - what can I say but best of luck to them. She won a race in Doncaster last week, I wish them the best of luck and some day we will probably train a few for them.
"I'm on the Curragh now in Rossmore Cottage Stables which is a famous property and the previous big trainer was Adrian Keatley who trained a 1,000 Guineas winner from it. I have 12 horses and have seven yearlings already. I will be busy in the sales and I have contacts in Dubai. I'll have 30 for the start of next year.
"I was training in Macau and Singapore and these places but got out of it. My son got married five years ago so I decided to come back.
"I trained in Ireland from 1989 to '94 and took a big job offer in Macau - I was young and decided to take it. I've trained over 1,000 winners abroad and won some good races including the Singapore Gold Cup. I have loads of friends and good support around the world."
Regarding Ocean Baroque, he added: "I have to mention Jim Ryan (part-owner) who is the biggest supporter since I came here and his horse Pulse Of Shanghai got us going in Dundalk."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Kiki Roberts trained by Noel Meade, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
